The death toll from a mining explosion in Sabon Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 25, with several other people sustaining injuries.

The blast occurred on Sunday, following a previous explosion just a week ago on the Dikko-Maje-Minna road, where a fuel tanker exploded.

In addition to the confirmed fatalities, many individuals, including women and children, are still missing, and local residents are continuing to search for bodies.

Some victims are believed to be trapped under rubble from the explosion, which also destroyed several residential buildings and shops in the area.

While the cause of the explosion is still under investigation, sources suggest that explosives used for mining at the site were improperly stored in a nearby shop.

It is suspected that these explosives, stored by a man identified as Yushau from New Bussa, detonated, leading to the deadly explosion. Yushau is currently at large, and authorities have launched a manhunt to locate him.

A local resident named Ahmed shared his account of the incident, noting that the explosion happened just as miners were starting their work for the day.

He added that villagers are fearful of further explosions, with concerns that more explosives could still detonate in the area.

While there have been terrorist activities in the region, Ahmed believes this explosion was likely caused by mishandling of explosives used for mining.

The Niger State Police, in a statement from Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that dynamite caused the explosion.

The police statement detailed that the dynamites were stored in a residential home by Yushau, who intended to use them for mining purposes.

The explosion claimed the life of one woman, Fatima Sadauki, while six others were injured and taken to the General Hospital in Kainji for treatment.

The explosion affected about twelve homes in the area.

Niger State’s Police Commissioner, Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, has ordered an investigation into the explosion.

Efforts to locate the fugitive suspect, Yushau, are ongoing, and while normalcy has been restored in the area, authorities continue to monitor the situation to prevent further incidents.

A devastating flood has submerged thousands of hectares of farmlands in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, causing extensive damage to rice farming.

The flood has displaced hundreds of farmers and destroyed agricultural investments valued in millions of naira.

During a visit by a state government delegation led by Deputy Chief of Staff, Princess Bukola Babalola, the Emir of Shonga, Dr. Halidu Yahya Ndanusa, expressed deep concern over the incident, which he said posed a serious threat to food security.

He called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the unusual flood, emphasizing that the Sahel region, including areas like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, had experienced no rainfall, making the flood’s origin particularly puzzling.

The Emir noted that, while Kainji Dam had denied responsibility for the floodwaters, officials from Jebba Dam acknowledged the possibility of their involvement and mentioned plans to close the dam soon.

He further expressed his hope that such an incident would not occur again in the future, as it jeopardizes years of hard work in attracting farmers to the region.

Community leader, Muhammad Abdulkadir, revealed that farmers from various northern states, including Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, and Niger, had lost millions of naira in rice crops to the flooding.

He stressed the need for government assistance and suggested that a permanent solution, such as dredging the River Niger, should be explored to prevent recurring flooding in the region.

In her address, Princess Babalola assured the affected farmers that the state government would provide support to alleviate the effects of the flood on their livelihoods.

She promised that the complaints of the farmers would be conveyed to the Governor, and efforts would be made to find a lasting solution to the flooding problem.

The delegation also distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to the affected farmers in the Tada community.

The state government pledged to further investigate the cause of the flood and provide continuous assistance to the farming community in the affected area.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has urged Nigerians to unite and stand up against political oppression, warning that the country has not yet experienced the full extent of the challenges that lie ahead.

Falana made the remarks during the Day of Tributes held in honor of the late Dr. Adewale Peter Balogun, a champion for democracy and a vocal advocate for the oppressed.

He emphasized that now is the time for action, not mourning or complaints.

“We must refocus our efforts and dedicate ourselves to fighting for our rights. The people in power have not even started; what we’ve seen so far is nothing,” Falana said.

“Telecom tariffs have increased, and more hikes will follow. This is why we need to unite, rise up, and oppose this oppression.”

Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, also addressed the gathering, urging Nigerians to fight for good governance amid the economic difficulties the country is facing.

He challenged leaders to prioritize the country’s needs and make sacrifices for its progress.

“You don’t need to make noise to make an impact,” Arogundade stated. “Commitment and sacrifice are essential for progress. Dr. Balogun’s struggle was not in vain. He lived a life of meaningful impact, and his contributions to the democracy we enjoy today are evident.”

Arogundade highlighted that the event was not only to honor Dr. Balogun but to remind Nigerians of the importance of continuing the fight for better governance.

“This gathering reminds us of where we stand today and challenges us to continue the fight for good governance. Dr. Balogun’s dedication to democracy and his unwavering commitment to the struggle remain a lasting legacy.”

He also noted that many of Dr. Balogun’s goals, particularly in the fields of medical and democratic reform, were not fully realized, but his efforts paved the way for future generations.

Leaders of Pan-Yoruba groups have strongly opposed any move to introduce Sharia law in the Southwest, calling it a deliberate plot to destabilize Yorubaland. They warned that such proposals, if implemented, would cause division, confusion, and potentially ignite intra-Yoruba conflicts, all aimed at weakening the unity of the region.

In a statement signed by prominent Yoruba leaders, including Tajudeen Olowo of the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), Olu Sulaiman of the O’odua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), and Dr. Kola Afolabi of The Covenant Group (CP), the groups expressed their firm opposition to the imposition of Sharia law in any part of Yoruba territory, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and other southwestern states.

The groups argued that Sharia law cannot solve the region’s social, political, and economic challenges.

They emphasized that Yorubaland’s progress, particularly its economic development, was achieved through the hard work of diverse religious groups, including Muslims, Christians, and traditional worshippers, not through theocracy.

“We are witnessing a calculated attempt to destabilize the region through divisive and dangerous proposals that threaten unity and provoke conflicts among the Yoruba people. Sharia law is not compatible with the multi-religious and multi-faith nature of Yorubaland,” the statement read.

The leaders also pointed to the failures of Sharia law in the northern states, where its implementation has been associated with high poverty rates, instability, and violence.

They cited statistics showing that the poverty rate in Sharia-ruled states like Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina is among the highest in the country, with many citizens living in extreme poverty, while the political elite in those regions continue to amass wealth.

“These states, where Sharia has been imposed, are rife with poverty, violence, and lawlessness. It is a model that has failed, and we do not want this fate for our region,” they stated, condemning the unequal application of Sharia in northern states, where the rich escape justice while the poor face harsh punishments.

The groups also expressed concern that the push for Sharia in the Southwest is politically motivated, aiming to disrupt the unity and political fortunes of the Yoruba people.

They warned that this was part of a broader effort to undermine democracy and sow discord within the region, which has long maintained a shared political vision.

“Any attempt to impose Sharia in Yorubaland, whether openly or covertly, will be fiercely opposed. The Yoruba people will not tolerate such divisive actions,” the leaders stated, urging religious extremists and political figures to abandon their plans.

They reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the unity and democratic values of the Yoruba people and warned that any such efforts to impose Sharia would be met with strong resistance.